Goblin in association with the Royal Exchange Theatre
THE BALLAD OF RUDY
Relaxed performance – Wednesday 16 December, 11.30am
Welcome to today’s performance of THE BALLAD OF RUDY! Here is some information to
help you to enjoy the performance you are coming to see.
Today we are presenting what is called a Relaxed Performance. A Relaxed Performance is
for everybody but we particularly want to welcome people who might sometimes feel a bit
anxious or worried about coming to the theatre, so we have tried to do a few things to
make it feel fine! At the start of the play the actors will come on stage and introduce
themselves and tell you what parts they are playing, and during the play we are making
some of the noises a bit quieter than usual, so hopefully they won’t be upsetting for
people who don’t like a lot of loud noise.
Enjoy the show!
TODAY’S TIMETABLE
The play will start at 11.30am
The play will end at approximately 12.20pm
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DURING THE PLAY
During today’s play there will be a relaxed atmosphere…
The lights will stay on, and the doors of the theatre will be left open so that you can go in
and out if you want to.
We will adjust sound levels, and the actors will make it really clear when it’s about to get
noisy so that you can put ear defenders on if you would prefer.
If you want to get up and move around while the play is on then that is OK.
If you need to make a bit of noise while the play is on then that is OK.
If you want to go out of the theatre and have some time out then that is OK too.
In The Great Hall there are some chill-out areas where you can go and sit and relax. There
are comfy bean bags and sofas.
ABOUT THE PLAY
THE BALLAD OF RUDY is an original story about a reindeer who discovers self-expression
through music. Central to the production is live music and lots of different instruments are
played by the three actors.
The actors all play animals, but their clothes and mannerisms are very human. The play is
set in the North Pole and the world of the play has the feel of a cool Jazz Lounge. The story
begins on Rudy’s first day of reindeer school. After being told off for being disruptive, Rudy
meets a magical Jazz Penguin who introduces him to a world of musical characters, each of
whom will teach him different things about music, creativity and self-expression.
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The Actors And The Characters They Play
At the start of the play today the actors will come on stage and introduce themselves so
that you know who they all are. Here are some photographs of the actors and some
information about the characters they are going to be in the play:
This is Hollie. Hollie plays three different characters. The first
character is Mrs Hoo, she is the teacher at Reindeer school and
you’ll meet her first. Hollie also plays Fitz who is an Artic Fox. Fitz
is a puppet who has a very special way of communicating - using a
language of music called Jazz scat - made famous by the likes of
Ella Fitzgerald. Hollie also plays Nina. Nina is a walrus who once
had a dazzling jazz career.
This is Peter. Peter plays Rudy. Rudy is a reindeer who begins the
play by hoping that one day he will pull the sleigh, but by the end
he has realised he would much rather play and make music and
leave the sleigh pulling to some of the other reindeer.
This is Yana. Yana plays two different characters. The main
character she plays is the Jazz Penguin. The Jazz Penguin is on a
world tour and is visiting the North Play to try and see the
Northern Lights. The Jazz Penguin is a bit like a magical character
who Rudy conjures up to help him find his way in the world. Yana
also plays Polar Bear Joe who is a grumpy bear who is supposed
to be scary but Rudy isn’t scared.
.
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RUDY
JAZZ PENGUIN
POLAR BEAR JOE
FITZ
NINA
MRS HOO
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The Story
This is the story of the whole play, so only read it if you don’t mind knowing what happens at the end!
The audience enter a jazz lounge. Soft jazz music will be playing.
The play beings when Mrs Hoo arrives. It is the first day of reindeer school and she is ready
to teach everyone what it takes to pull the sleigh. She introduces the original team of
reindeer who are pictured in the classroom.
Suddenly Rudy arrives. He is late and bursts in, interrupting the lesson. Mrs Hoo
encourages him to take his seat but Rudy is too excited to settle. Eventually Mrs Hoo
invites Rudy to the front of the class to teach him a lesson called Keeping in Step. The
rhythm is easy and soon Rudy gets carried away tapping along to his own impulsive beat.
Rudy thinks he is being entertaining, although Mrs Hoo is not impressed. Mrs Hoo tells
Rudy off before leaving.
In the next scene, Rudy is feeling alone and frustrated for being different. At this point the
Jazz Penguin arrives. The Jazz Penguin is looking for the Northern Lights and explains you
can only see the Northern Lights if you’ve got ‘the Jazz’ in you. Rudy wants to know what
‘the Jazz’ is. The Jazz Penguin decides to take care of Rudy and entertains him by playing
his trumpet. The Jazz Penguin then gives the gift of a guitar to Rudy. It isn’t long before
they are playing music together.
It gets darker and Rudy mentions they might be near to the grumpy Polar Bear, but Jazz
Penguin explains they are looking for a cheeky fox called Fitz.
Fitz arrives but has a very special way of communicating. Together the three have fun jazz
scatting. The Jazz Penguin then invites everyone to get involved in a call and response task,
so all you need to do is follow Fitz’s lead.
Afterwards, the Jazz Penguin is ready to move on but Rudy is having too much fun with Fitz
and so decides to stay. The Jazz Penguin leaves them to it, but warns him about the
grumpy Polar Bear. Rudy and Fitz hear the roar of a Polar Bear. Fitz is scared but Rudy is
brave.
Polar Bear Joe arrives. Polar Bear Joe is grumpy because it is so hot and the ice caps are
melting. Rudy tries to cheer Polar Bear Joe up. Polar Bear Joe teaches Rudy the blues and
explains it’s OK to feel sad sometimes. They sing the blues together. Then Polar Bear Joe
leaves Rudy alone.
Rudy starts to play on Polar Bear Joe’s piano. As he plays a lone puffin arrives. More and
more puffins arrive and the music gets louder and becomes quite chaotic. It is noisy. Rudy
has fun with the puffins but is out of breath and confused by the time they have left. At
this point a calming falcon flies overhead and a calming melody is played. Rudy is
captivated by the bird. The Falcon leaves.
Rudy feels calmer and then the Jazz Penguin returns. Rudy is excited and tells the Jazz
Penguin about all the things he has learnt but he still isn’t sure if has ‘the Jazz’.
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The Jazz Penguin takes Rudy to meet Nina, an old walrus. Nina is glamourous but her Diva
days are behind her. However, Jazz Penguin persuades her to sing one more time. She
teachers Rudy that Jazz is all about ‘heart’. She sings a song called ‘No Need to Follow the
Herd’ which is all about doing your own thing. Nina sings about different animals who did
their own thing and the audience is involved making animal sounds and actions.
After the song, the Jazz Penguin suggests they arrange one more gig before Jazz Penguin
leaves Rudy and the North Pole for good. Nina and Jazz Penguin head off to get ready and
Rudy is left alone wondering if he finally has ‘the Jazz’.
At this point, the lights begin to flicker and gentle piano music plays. It gets darker and the
deep sounds of a cello strike up. A giant fantastical Whale floats into the space and dances
with Rudy. Rudy discovers an electric guitar and plays it together with the soft piano and
cello music. The sky lights up with the Northern Lights.
After experiencing the Northern Lights, Rudy is very chilled out. Mrs Hoo arrives to tell
Rudy the good news that he has been chosen to pull the sleigh. However, Rudy has a
surprise for Mrs Hoo. He then invites Mrs Hoo to play in one final gig with him. Lots of the
characters return and lots of instruments are played including the drum kit.
The Jazz Penguin returns as well and has one final present for Rudy.
They play and celebrate together.
The end.
Things To Look Out For
1. Musical instruments
In the play, the three actors play lots of different instruments including Bells, Trumpets,
Acoustic Guitar, Tambourine, Double Bass, Piano, Saxophone, Clarinet, Electric Guitar and
Drum Kit. There is one pre-recorded piece of music that includes piano and cello.
2. The Northern Lights
The Norther Lights occur naturally in the skies across the North Pole. There are many
different myths and folklores about what the Northern Lights present, some cultures
believe they are the spirits of dead animals. In our story the Northern Lights are
represented by a huge majestic Whale who Rudy sees towards the end of the play when
he finally discovers he has got ‘the jazz’ and learns it’s OK to be different.
3. Taking part
There are a couple of opportunities to take part, including at the beginning with Mrs Hoo
when you will learn how to say Hello using different body parts, and make antlers with
your hands. In the middle you’ll get to jazz scat with Fitz the Fox, and towards the end
you’ll get to sing with Nina and make animal sounds and actions. It’s gonna be coooool!
The relaxed performance of THE BALLAD OF RUDY has been generously supported by Ordinary
People, Interesting Lives and Rycroft Children’s Fund.
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